Arise and Finish the Work with “Christ’s Object Lessons”
By Arthur G. Daniells
We have reason to be of good courage regarding the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” There seems to prevail among many of our conference officers, ministers, and the rank and file of our brethren and sisters a feeling that we should now arise and finish this work. There is a general feeling that it can be done this winter, and that what is not done now will have to be done under difficulties and by slow degrees later on. This work was brought prominently before us about two years ago. At that time we had gained no actual experience in carrying out the plan presented to us by Sister White, but we expressed our belief that it was from the Lord, and that it could be carried out with success. It was necessary to raise a fund of fifty thousand dollars with which to pay for the material for the three hundred thousand books. It was also necessary to organize the field for service, and to convince the majority of our brethren and sisters that they could sell this book. While the two years have been passing, we have been marching forward, and gaining an experience. Please think of what has been accomplished. Fifty thousand dollars has been paid in by our brethren for the material; the printing houses have produced nearly the three hundred thousand books; and while they have received payment for the material, they have donated labor to the value of over thirty thousand dollars. As the books have come from the presses, they have been taken by our conferences. The officers and committees have studied plans by which to carry forward organized efforts; they have united upon a general plan, which is simple, and which has proved successful. This plan aims at placing the required quota of books in the hands of every church member in the United States to sell to his neighbor, and to turn the proceeds over to the schools. States have agreed upon these plans, have ordered either a part or the whole of their quotas, have districted the States, placed ministers in charge of the districts, and arranged with them to see that every church member is called into the work, and assisted in carrying it through to success. Up to the present time, about 150,000 copies of the book have been sold, and the money received and applied on our school debts. Thousands of our people have learned by actual experience that they can sell the book, and they have found a great blessing in engaging in this work. Now what remains yet to be done? Just one thing: the sale of 150,000 more books. Why should not this work be taken up with great enthusiasm, and finished without delay? The schools are in great need of the means. The people to whom we are to sell the book need the precious instruction it contains. Times are exceedingly prosperous. Other work is pressing upon us for attention, and Everything tells us that now is the appointed time to finish this work. To neglect a work that ought to be done is to bring a situation that will make the accomplishment of that work hard. The presidents of our conferences are testifying that it is more difficult this winter to arouse our people to action than it was one year ago. There is a strong and well-grounded feeling that this work will go very hard after this winter. The General Conference Committee considered this matter at the council held in November, and earnestly urged all the State conferences to make an earnest effort to close this work up before the next session of the General Conference. It is most earnestly hoped that every State conference in the United States will complete this work, and carry its jubilee banner to the General Conference, which is to open March 27. This will be a splendid achievement, and will bring great joy to all our people. In order to assist the States in accomplishing this much-to-be-desired end, the General Conference has arranged with Elder C. W. Flaiz, president of the Northern Union Conference, to devote his entire time to the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons” during the next two months. It is somewhat difficult for Brother Flaiz to leave his work in that conference; but he has consented to do so, with the hope that the Lord will bless this effort to finish this great work. The Northern Union Conference has sold its quota, and turned the money over6to the school. Two of the States have held their annual conferences this winter. This lightens the work in that field, and makes it possible for Brother Flaiz to take up this general work in behalf of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” He will communicate with our people through the Review, and the union and State conference papers; also by correspondence with conference officers and persons who are devoting their entire time to the finishing of this work. Brethren and sisters, let us now arise and perform the work God has laid upon us. Let us demonstrate to all that the Lord has not asked an impossibility. What we have already done has glorified his name. When we have finished our work, we shall have set before the world a grand object lesson. And with all this we shall have relieved our schools from the burden of debt that has so long rested upon them. This will free the managers from anxiety regarding the finances, and give them time and strength to plan for the efficiency of the school work itself. In closing, I confess to a great interest in this final effort to finish this work. I desire beyond the power of words to express, that every conference shall be able at the next General Conference to unfurl its jubilee banner. If all will unite enthusiastically in this work, it shall be done.
A. G. Daniells.